Top News:
Will Larkin / Chicago Tribune:
Details of Eloy Jimenez's record contract with the White Sox include a $5 million bonus and a potential value of $75M — Photos of Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox outfielder and No. 4-ranked prospect by Baseball America. — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox and Eloy Jimenez made it official Friday afternoon.
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox receive more than 500 fan entries in first 2 hours of tattoo sweepstakes — Keith Fawley of Merrionette Park, shows off his “Sox Side” tattoo in 2016. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown) — Chicago Tribune — Thirty White Sox fans will put their skin in the game by getting tattooed …
Associated Press:
Eloy Jimenez, White Sox finalize $43M, 6-year contract
Eloy Jimenez, White Sox finalize $43M, 6-year contract
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wieters wins Cards' backup catcher job over Pena — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • _Matt Wieters, signed two weeks into spring training, has won the Cardinals' backup catcher job over Francisco Pena, who had it last year. Both were on non-roster contracts in camp with potential opt-outs on Friday.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Before he gets the gold, ‘Goldy’ hits long home run — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • Paul Goldschmidt's new contract hasn't been announced yet but the Cardinals' first baseman paid the first dividend Friday with a long homer to the opposite field in right center off New York Mets lefthander Hector Santiago in the third inning.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how Joey Gallo will determine the composition of the Rangers' Opening Day roster — The player who will determine the final shape of the Texas Rangers' Opening Day roster played Friday afternoon for the first time in more than a week, and his postgame report pointed to one thing:
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
'We'll support him through it, but he also has a responsibility to take ownership of this'
Evan Grant / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
Rangers manager Chris Woodward reveals starting rotation order
Rangers manager Chris Woodward reveals starting rotation order
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
What Calhoun's reaction to his demotion to minors might have told the Rangers
What Calhoun's reaction to his demotion to minors might have told the Rangers
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks' April 4 return ‘a little ambitious’ says Aaron Boone — TAMPA — Aaron Hicks' goal of being ready on April 4, the first day he would be eligible to come off the disabled list, is “a little ambitious,” his manager said Friday night. The Yankee center fielder has missed nearly three weeks with “chronic,” back pain.
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Aaron Hicks further delayed, Clint Frazier optioned as Yankees run through outfield decisions — TAMPA, Fla. - Despite Aaron Hicks' lingering back issues, Clint Frazier's longshot path to the Bronx on opening day has come to an end. — In a series of spring training cuts on Friday …
Toronto Sun:
AP source: Cardinals, Goldschmidt completing US$130M, 5-year deal — The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an off-season trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. — They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a long-term deal.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Jupiter Jackpot: Goldschmidt to become highest-paid Cardinal in franchise history
Jupiter Jackpot: Goldschmidt to become highest-paid Cardinal in franchise history
Discussion:
The Sports Daily
Associated Press:
National League West capsules — Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year: — ___ — Los Angeles Dodgers — 2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series. — Manager: Dave Roberts (fourth season). — He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock …
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Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Risk, legacy and the future of the Red Sox: Five questions about Chris Sale's extension — The free-agent season might have been sluggish once again, but the extension season is smoking hot. With ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting that the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a five-year extension …
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Justin Terranova / New York Post:
Ken Singleton on Yankees-Red Sox battle, dangers of Trout deal
Ken Singleton on Yankees-Red Sox battle, dangers of Trout deal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Yanks instructor Mazzilli released from hospital — New York Yankees guest hitting instructor Lee Mazzilli was released Friday after spending two nights in the hospital after being struck in the head by a ball during batting practice. — Mazzilli was hurt Wednesday during a workout …
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Associated Press:
Bregman: Slow market didn't impact Astros deal — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Alex Bregman's decision to sign a long-term contract with the Houston Astros was not impacted by the second slow free-agent market. — “I wanted to play here,” the third baseman said Friday after the team announced a $100 million …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
With his blister healing, Yu Darvish vows to be ready for the Cubs' opening series: 'Even now I'm ready to throw' — Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish discusses his bullpen session and recovery from a blister on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets still have three relievers fighting for final bullpen spot — PORT ST. LUCIE — Following another early morning roster slash on Friday, the Mets have just 36 players with lockers in big-league camp. — The team will begin assembling it's Opening Day roster with just three Grapefruit League games remaining.
Orange County Register:
Photos: UC Irvine vs. Kansas State in NCAA Tournament — Sound — The gallery will resume inseconds — Show Caption — of
Discussion:
Associated Press and SGV Tribune
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The Astros want to extend Verlander and Cole; Harper on choosing Philly; more notes — The Astros are discussing extensions with right-handers Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, according to major-league sources. Of course they are. Seemingly every team is discussing an extension …
Discussion:
Chico Enterprise-Record, Houston Chronicle, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
CHEAPSEATS: Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman wants butterflies in his stomach, fans in the stands — DUNEDIN, Fla. - Marcus Stroman looks forward to feeling like he's going to puke again. — He also can't wait for all the tossing and turning he'll do in bed the night before it arrives.
Associated Press:
Lindor, Kipnis both ruled out for Indians' opener — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have ruled out star shortstop Francisco Lindor and double-play partner Jason Kipnis for Opening Day. — The team said Friday night that neither player will be ready for Thursday's opener at Minnesota.
ESPN:
Agent angry Reds demoted top prospect Senzel — The Cincinnati Reds sent Nick Senzel, their top prospect, to the minor leagues on Friday, and the move didn't sit well with Senzel's agent. — Senzel is a third baseman who has also seen action at second base and shortstop in the minors.
Discussion:
Red Reporter and New York Post